Graduate designs chair that transforms into coffin

Spotted: Coffin chair, designed by London-based industrial design graduate Yeyang Liao, serves as a piece of furniture in which the owner can later be cremated. Traditional coffins contain metal components, preventing them from being cremated. Coffin chair is made entirely from wood, so it can be cremated. The idea is to appease the Chinese ritual of preparing one’s own coffin whilst promoting the Green Funeral movement.

In 2018, the Chinese government implemented the “Green Funeral” policy to support greater efficiency of land space. The movement involves a transition from burials to cremation. However, burials represent an important aspect of Chinese tradition. Many people purchase their coffin in advance and keep it at home, which is a ritual for long life.

“The coffin chair is designed for elders who want to prepare their funeral, it can be pulled out to be a coffin when the owner is dead. The spring structure not only has the function of extension, but also has the symbolic meaning of a long life,” said Liao.

Takeaway:

China suffers from a shortage of burial space. In recent years, China has extended its one child policy to two children, with this limit soon to be abolished altogether. With most cemeteries already being full, the expected population growth represents a need to find alternative ways of disposing bodies. Liao’s coffin chair represents a competent transition towards more sustainable funerals. However, whilst cremation is more eco-friendly than burial, cremations still release a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Thus, funerals require further innovation in order to be completely sustainable. Springwise has spotted many new advancements in eco burials, including a freeze-drying process that avoids the vaporisation of toxic metals from the body.